Double Eyelid Surgery

ABOUT THE DOUBLE EYELID OPERATION

Double eyelid surgery is one way of making the eyes look bigger. About 50% of the Asian population is born without a double eyelid. Double eyelid surgery is a popular procedure where precise suturing methods are used to create an eyelid fold. 

If the corner of the eye has an overhanging fold of skin it is referred to as the Epicanthal fold. 

Patients of Asian descent occasionally experience early onset subtle ptosis (drooping eyelid) that is frequently missed due to the overhanging eyelid skin that masks it.

If you want to learn more about what's involved in double eyelid surgery visit Dr Naveen Somia at either Bondi Junction (Sydney Eastern Suburbs) or Bella Vista (Sydney Hills District) Office.

Can Double eyelid surgery help?

If having a double-folded eyelid concerns you about your appearance or vision, this feature can be altered by expert Plastic Surgery using precise and sophisticated techniques with artistic finesse.  This can lead to an improvement in your appearance as the eyes appear more open. The net result is an overall improvement of the facial appearance and a pleasing effect given the eyes are such a focal point.

What is a double eyelid and why do people seek surgery?

Many people inherit what’s called a double eyelid. On some faces, this can lead to an appearance that patients describe as ‘sleepy-looking facial expression” or the appearance of “smaller-looking eyes”. 

What causes Double eyelid formation?

The reason is that there is no distinguishable eyelid crease. Without an eyelid crease there is a ‘free fall’ of the excess eyelid skin that folds over itself. This results in the eyelid skin covering more of the eyes than the patient desires. 

Is double eyelid a medical condition?

When you are young, it is not a medical concern, but a genetic trait and an aesthetic concern for some people. As you get older, the ‘free fall’ of the excess skin continues and may impact your vision when it becomes a medical issue. In both cases plastic surgery can help.

Benefits of Double eyelid surgery 

The benefits of Double-Eyelid Surgery are that it creates an eyelid crease that results in a more open-eyed expression to enhance the overall facial appearance in patients with suitable anatomy for the procedure.

What does the Double Eyelid Surgery involve and what does it achieve?

The double eyelid procedure surgically enhances the eyelid appearance. Technically, it involves adjusting and excising the skin above the eyelid, surgically creating a single crease, without disrupting important eyelid functions such as blinking and closing your eyes. The optimal surgery outcome is removal of drooping eyelid skin and defining a single crease. This helps open up the eyes, surgically treating the double-fold eye lid appearance.

Why do people choose to have Double Eyelid Surgery? 

People who seek double-eyelid surgery do so because they want their eyes to look more open, brighter or less ‘sleepy’ or ‘tired’, especially as they age. 

• However, people of all ages request this procedure. 
• It is not a surgery for ‘westernising’ the eyelid appearance; and this is a common misconception. 
• Instead, Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty Surgery reduces the smaller-eyed look resulting from having a double-eyelid (double-fold); and the result is a more refreshed, brighter, bigger and natural looking eyes.
• It is an elective surgical procedure that is considered cosmetic not medical.

Double Eyelid Surgery Risks, Complications, and Potential Side Effects 

Double-eyelid plastic surgery is, like most blepharoplasty procedures, a particularly complex operation. If your eyelid surgeon gets it wrong and botches your double eyelid surgery, you could end up with some unwanted complications and appearance concerns – some of which won’t be easy to be repaired. 

That’s why it’s so important to choose a top eyelid surgery expert Plastic Surgeon, who has had extensive training and experience in eyelid surgery and attained the high level of specialist qualifications of a Plastic Surgeon to help ensure an expert is performing your procedure. 

 “Asian eyelid surgery requires intensive planning around varying anatomies and precision surgical techniques. That is why it’s so important to choose a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon, one who has extensive experience and expertise in these procedures, on a variety of patients.” 

Comment from Dr Naveen Somia, Sydney’s eyelid surgery expert:

“I believe eyelid surgery and various blepharoplasty techniques are particularly transforming, and yet these surgeries are very complex. I have made my surgery practice in Sydney strongly focused on eyelid surgery and facial rejuvenation. That’s because I know how much positive change they can make on a person’s overall facial appearance, and because I know they can go wrong in the wrong hands of a less-trained Surgeon.  

It’s much better to get it right the first time. That’s not to say some complications occur…occasionally they do; but at least with a Plastic Surgeon who’s focused on these procedures, you’re in far better hands in terms of experience, expertise and precision.”

How long does the double eyelid surgery operation take?

Double eyelid surgery should be performed in a licensed facility. It usually takes between 1 to 1.5 hours. It can often be done as a Day Surgery case, which means you don't have to stay in hospital overnight. However, if you combine it with other facial procedures, you may require a longer hospital stay.

How long is the healing process after double eyelid surgery?

• Healing and recovery after double eyelid surgery vary from patient to patient.
• On average, the healing process tends to take up to two (2) weeks.
• This can vary, however, so be sure you allow enough healing time after surgery. Check with Dr Somia for some helpful healing instructions and don’t try to do too much too soon; you will need to rest your eyes a lot during those 2 or more weeks of healing.

Other surgical procedures that are commonly performed with Double eyelid surgery 

• Lower Eyelid Surgery (Eye Bag Surgery)
• Epicanthal (over-hanging fold in the corner of the eye)

Tips for Before, During and After Double Eyelid Surgery

BEFORE Double eyelid Surgery:

• Book a consultation with Sydney’s top eyelid procedure expert, Dr Naveen Somia
• Read the materials provided and discuss your surgery objectives, desired outcomes and facial anatomy including surgery costs, surgery schedules, time frames, recovery care, healing times and risks
• Consider the PROS and CONS of the surgery and what you want accomplished
• Ask any and all questions you have about surgery
• Determine your preferences for anaesthetic
• After doing your homework, decide to proceed 
• Schedule your surgery, work out your payment options and attend pre-consultations
• Follow Dr Naveen’s recommendations for pre-surgery preparation
• Stay healthy to enhance your healing period and help prevent healing delays

DURING Double eyelid Surgery:

• Before surgery, read and re-read your post-op instructions 
• Have them laminated and by your bedside in very big print for when you get home after surgery
• Have numbing injections in the area for improving procedure comfort
• Have anaesthetic (local or general and local, depending on what you’ve chosen or what your Surgeon feels is best for your procedure)
• Have the procedure 
• A few hours later, when you’re cleared by Dr Naveen, make sure you have someone to drive you home

After Double eyelid Surgery:

• Stay out of the sun
• Make sure you’re choosing good nutrition and drinking plenty of water 
• Rest your eyes and do not drive until you are cleared 
• Care for your eyes and sutures as instructed by Dr Naveen
• You may be asked to sleep in an elevated position 
• You may be able to use gently applied cool packs to minimise swelling, but check with Dr Naveen as these must be used only according to instructions
• You may feel your eyes appear swollen or your eyelids ‘tight-feeling’; you may have some bruising or discolouration around the eyes after surgery 
• Report any concerns or questions 
• Attend follow up appointments and have your sutures removed at about 8 days (this can vary slightly and frequently doesn’t hurt)
• In approximately two (2) weeks’ time, your eyelids should be mostly healed, however, the scar may take up to 12 months to fully mature
• Follow Dr Naveen’s scar minimisation instructions